Acoustic monitoring pad

The Army Research Laboratory has developed sensor technology to monitor patient condition by gathering and analyzing acoustic data. Acoustic signature analysis can indicate cessation of breathing or heartbeat. Advanced signal-processing techniques can determine the proper level of response for the indicated condition, and alert attendants via transmitter or alarm that immediate attention or resuscitation is necessary. This sensor pad can be permanently attached to an evacuation stretcher, gurney, or field hospital operating table, or it can also be placed on an injured soldier's torso to continuously monitor heartbeat and breathing. The excellent coupling between the human body and the sensor pad gives a high signal-to-noise ratio over ambient sounds, which may allow medical personnel to detect fluid in the lungs, an obstructed airway, or an irregular heart beat. This information can be transmitted by radio to more qualified medical personnel for remote diagnosis. If soldiers were equipped with a small monitoring sensor pad to carry in contact with the torso, squad performance level could be assessed or those missing in action could be medically interrogated from a remote location, for not only the heart and breathing sounds, but also some of the ambient acoustics that could include the soldier's own speech. The technology can also be used to monitor apnea or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or to alert operators of vehicles or aircraft that the pad has detected the onset of sleep, characterized by a decrease in heart and respiratory rates.